How to Grow Field Grass

Field grasses protect the soil and feed birds and wildlife. (Image: prairie image by Jean-Michel POUGET from Fotolia.com)

While city landscapes often contain manicured lawns and well-kept yards, pastures and fields appear more natural and carefree. Field grass provides food for wildlife and livestock while guarding against soil erosion. Planting grass in large, open areas, such as fields, also discourages the growth of weeds and other undesirable ground covers. Whether you want to grow field grass for ornamental purposes or for use as feed, healthy grass requires proper planting techniques, suitable soil conditions, adequate amounts of sunlight and moisture.

Things You'll Need

Tractor with blade or disc

Soil test kit

Grass seeds

Seed broadcaster

Herbicide

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Remove large weeds and other types of vegetation with a tractor blade or disc attachment. Choose a day late in the early fall when the soil is slightly moist below the surface. Waiting one or two days after a rainfall allows the moisture to soak beneath the top of the soil, loosening deep roots and encouraging easy removal.

Test the current health of the soil in your field. Previous vegetation, as well as occasional flooding and water runoff can deplete your soil of necessary nutrients. Use a basic soil test to expose any soil deficiencies. Follow the instructions included with your test results to amend the soil in your field.

Purchase a variety of prairie or similar grass seed to plant in your field. Seed combinations provide an array of grass varieties, helping to establish an attractive, lush field of grass. Choose grass varieties that match your climate, soil and moisture conditions. Select a premixed product or mix your own with varieties like switchgrass, blue grama, buffalo, little bluestem and prairie brome.

Spread the seeds over the surface of your topsoil on a calm day. Use a seed broadcaster, evenly scattering the seeds over your field. Apply your seeds at the rate directed on the bags or containers. Allow the seeds to rest over the winter months.

Look for sprouting seeds in the spring. In most U.S. climates melting snow and spring rains supply necessary moisture for germination and growth. Unlike lawn grasses, field grass doesn’t require supplemental watering or regular mowing. Allow your field grasses to grow and produce seeds to encourage thick growth.

Apply an herbicide if you notice large amounts of weeds growing in your field of grass. Aggressive weeds, such as field bindweed, can take over areas of your field. Eliminate these weeds with a product that contains picloram or dicamba. Apply about half a pound of picloram for every acre of field grass once the weeds reach about a foot in height. Use 4 to 8 pounds of dicamba per acre for this same purpose. Wait at least a month after treatment before allowing livestock to graze the area.